Which has more SBA loans, FASTSIGNS or Signworld?

FASTSIGNS has 504 SBA 7(a) historical approvals; Signworld has 33. FASTSIGNS has the deeper public lender track record, which generally translates into faster pre-qualification and broader lender familiarity.

What is the default rate for FASTSIGNS vs Signworld SBA loans?

FASTSIGNS's SBA default rate is 7.1%, versus 12.1% for Signworld. FASTSIGNS has the cleaner loss profile, which capital sources weigh when pricing the next deal in the brand.

When did FASTSIGNS and Signworld peak in SBA lending volume?

FASTSIGNS's SBA approval peak was 2021 with 36 loans; Signworld's peak was 2018 with 8. A more recent peak (currently FASTSIGNS) generally indicates fresher lender appetite and easier financing today.

Which states have the most FASTSIGNS and Signworld SBA loans?

FASTSIGNS leads in TX with 50 SBA-funded units; Signworld leads in CA with 8. The brand that matches your operating state typically closes faster because local lenders already know the unit economics.

Side by Side Comparison

FASTSIGNS vs Signworld

Q: Which is a better franchise investment, FASTSIGNS or Signworld?

FASTSIGNS vs Signworld: compare initial investment, royalty rate, unit count, SBA lending history, default rate, and PeerSense FPI score side by side. The right answer depends on your capital, target market, and risk tolerance, not on which brand ranks higher in a list.

Q: How much does a FASTSIGNS franchise cost compared to Signworld?

FASTSIGNS requires a total initial investment of $215K to $377K while Signworld requires $33K to $286K. Signworld has the lower minimum capital commitment. Franchise fee, royalty percentage, and advertising fees vary independently, see the comparison table below for the full FDD breakdown.

Quick Answer

FASTSIGNS vs Signworld: FASTSIGNS costs $215K to $377K to open; Signworld costs $33K to $286K. FASTSIGNS has 363 units, Signworld has 32. SBA loan history: FASTSIGNS = 504 loans (7.1% default); Signworld = 33 loans (12.1% default). The franchise with more SBA funded units, a lower SBA default rate, and a lower royalty load is the safer financing bet; see the comparison below.

FASTSIGNS vs Signworld: Capital, Scale & Lending Analysis

Analysis based on FDD filings and SBA 7(a) loan level data. Each pairing reflects a unique combination of capital intensity, system scale, and financing path.

Capital Intensity

Signworld requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($33K vs $215K for FASTSIGNS), a 562% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $50K for FASTSIGNS versus $30K for Signworld, Signworld has the lower entry fee.

System Scale & Tenure

On scale, FASTSIGNS operates 363 units to Signworld's 32, roughly 11× the system size.

SBA Lending Profile

FASTSIGNS has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 504 7(a) approvals compared with 33 for Signworld. FASTSIGNS's peak SBA year was 2021 (36 loans); Signworld's peak was 2018 (8 loans). FASTSIGNS's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. FASTSIGNS has the most SBA funded units in TX, with 50. Signworld leads in CA, with 8. Borrowers should pick the brand whose strongest SBA state matches their own state for warmer lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded FASTSIGNS deals is $340K vs $160K for Signworld, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.

Risk Signal

SBA default rates are 7.1% for FASTSIGNS and 12.1% for Signworld, FASTSIGNS has the cleaner SBA loss record by 5.0 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 68 (Strong) for FASTSIGNS and 45 (Fair) for Signworld, giving FASTSIGNS the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.

FASTSIGNS

Sign Manufacturing

68 12W

Signworld

Sign Manufacturing

Health & Performance

FPI Score	68/100	45/100
Health Tier	Strong	Fair
Confidence	N/A	N/A
Lending Trend	Declining	Declining

SBA Lending

SBA Loans	504	33
SBA Volume	–	–
Default Rate	7.1%	12.1%
Peer Tier	major	established

Investment & Costs

Total Investment	$215K to $377K	$33K to $286K
Franchise Fee	$50K	$30K
Royalty Rate	6%	N/A
Ad Fund	2%	N/A
Liquid Capital	$100K	N/A
Net Worth Required	$300K	N/A

Financial Performance (Item 19)

Item 19 Status

Disclosed

Not Disclosed

System Size & Operations

Total Units	363	32
Franchised Units	363	32
Company Owned	–	–
Term Length	10 yrs	N/A

Brand Information

Year Founded	1985	N/A
Franchising Since	1986	N/A
Years Franchising	40 yrs	N/A
Headquarters	Carrollton, TX	Santa Rosa, CA
Category	Sign Manufacturing	Sign Manufacturing
Website	fastsigns.com	signworld.org
FDD Year	2026	N/A

Which Is Better, FASTSIGNS or Signworld?

Lower upfront capital required

Tie

FASTSIGNS: $215K starting · Signworld: $33K starting

More SBA lender confidence

FASTSIGNS

FASTSIGNS: 504 SBA loans · Signworld: 33 SBA loans

Lower SBA default rate

FASTSIGNS

FASTSIGNS: 7.1% · Signworld: 12.1%

Larger system & brand presence

Tie

FASTSIGNS: 363 units · Signworld: 32 units

More lender financing options

FASTSIGNS

FASTSIGNS: 152 unique lenders · Signworld: 12 unique lenders

Decision matrix uses publicly disclosed FDD and SBA loan data. Not a recommendation. Your best franchise depends on capital, market, operating capacity, and risk tolerance.

Franchise Financing

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About These Franchises

FASTSIGNS

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FASTSIGNS vs Signworld: Franchise Funding Comparison

Comparing FASTSIGNS and Signworld is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $33K to $377K.

FASTSIGNS has 504 SBA loans on record and Signworld has 33. Those totals are cumulative history rather than a measure of current appetite. Recent lending activity is trending down for at least one of these brands, so current lender appetite has to be checked deal by deal rather than assumed from the totals.

SBA 7(a) loans are the most common franchise funding vehicle, offering up to $5M with as little as 10% down. PeerSense connects franchise buyers with the specific lenders who have approved loans for these brands, not generic referrals, but lenders with actual franchise lending track records.

Data sourced from SBA loan records, Franchise Disclosure Documents, and public filings. Updated regularly. Not financial advice, consult with a lending professional before making investment decisions.

SBA Loan Guide Franchise Funding Options Best SBA Franchise Lenders All Franchises Talk to PeerSense

FASTSIGNS vs Signworld, Frequently Asked Questions

Which is a better franchise investment, FASTSIGNS or Signworld?

Compare FASTSIGNS vs Signworld franchise costs, FDD data, royalty rates, unit counts, and SBA lending history side by side above. The best franchise depends on your capital, market, and risk tolerance, not a single ranking. Use the decision matrix above to see which brand wins on each financing dimension.

How much does a FASTSIGNS franchise cost compared to Signworld?

FASTSIGNS requires $215K to $377K in total initial investment with a $50K franchise fee. Signworld requires $33K to $286K with a $30K franchise fee. All numbers come from official Franchise Disclosure Document filings.

Can I finance FASTSIGNS or Signworld with an SBA loan?

Both brands appear on the SBA Franchise Directory and have funded SBA 7(a) loans: FASTSIGNS has 504 SBA loans on record; Signworld has 33. SBA 7(a) is the most common franchise financing vehicle, offering up to $5M with 10% down. PeerSense routes your deal to lenders who have already approved the brand.

Which has a lower SBA default rate, FASTSIGNS or Signworld?

FASTSIGNS: 7.1% SBA default rate. Signworld: 12.1% SBA default rate. Lower default rates mean lenders quote tighter rates and underwrite faster.

Compare FASTSIGNS to other franchises Compare Signworld to other franchises Browse all Sign Manufacturing franchises

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Page Review

Reviewed by Edward L. Freeman, Founder and Managing Director, PeerSense

PeerSense is a capital advisory firm that places commercial financing with direct capital sources; it does not lend, fund, or approve loans, and the capital source sets final terms.
Edward L. Freeman founded PeerSense in January 2020.
He is a Registered Franchise Consultant with Business Alliance, Inc., a credential issued in March 2022, and worked as a franchise consultant there from March 2022 to May 2023.
His recorded experience includes a $22 million SBA construction loan, with about $16 million funded on the deal.
In the 12 months through September 30, 2026, PeerSense tracked 912 publicly announced financings with a disclosed size of $361.32 billion. PeerSense Capital Data Report · Methodology page

Last reviewed October 2, 2026LinkedIn profile About Edward Freeman